THE care homes row never seems to go away. Back in 2002, Chris Cheetham, the councillor behind the proposals to close the homes, said the priority was the right care for the elderly.

But 18 months on, is that what is happening? DAVID HIGGERSON looks at the situation...

IT is now nearly a year since Labour's ruling group on Lancashire County Council ignored the pleas of thousands of people and pushed ahead with plans to close 32 of its 48 care homes.

At the time, council bosses also unveiled a timetable of which homes would close and when - but then a judicial review brought by care home campaigners meant the authority had to halt its plans until judges ruled on whether what they were doing was legal.

Last November, a series of meetings at the High Court resulted in an out-of-court agreement between campaigners and the county council, which enabled the closure programme to begin.

One of those conditions was that all elderly folk would be allowed GP input into the assessments on whether they are well enough to move. Campaigners took this to mean GPs would have the final say, but county hall has read it as meaning that GPs are just one of the people consulted - sparking a fresh row last week.

At the start of the care homes saga - the closures were first mooted in February 2002 - there were 900 residents in LCC homes. There are now 818, with very few new admissions as more people are offered care in their own homes.

Coun Chris Cheetham, in charge of the closure programme, said: "Everything is being done around the needs of the residents.

"Ultimatley it will mean a more flexible service for people in Lancashire but the most important thing is that the people currently in our care get the best possible service."

But campaigner Lynne Atkinson, whose mother lives at Hill Top in Accrington, said: "They are not filling spaces and now we have homes which are only a shadow of what they used to be. They might say they are doing the best for the residents, but the best thing would be to improve the homes, not close them."

In Hyndburn those in Woodlands will remain there while the refurbishment takes place, through until spring 2005. Those living at Acorn Lodge, Northlands and Hill Top have been offered places in Woodlands when work is completed.

Coun Cheetham said: "Residents who do not want to move to Woodlands are helped to choose an alternative. The assessment process is underway and the choice made by individuals and the availability of vacant spaces will influence the timing of closures.

"In some cases interim moves have taken place to try and maintain quality of life and use resources widely. This has enabled Peel Court to close and Northlands is likely to close next month."

In the Ribble Valley, Castleford is to be refurbished and the residents will remain in the home whilst work is undertaken. The work is estimated to take 12 months. Day Care attendees will, however, need to move off site and alternative accommodation is currently being sought. Residents at Fell View will be approached in order to identify their choices.

Coun Cheetham said: "Those who wish will be offered a place in Castleford, however, it is anticipated some Fell View residents will wish to remain in Longridge or prefer to move to Preston or Garstang rather than Clitheroe. The timetable for the closure depends on assessments and the choices of individuals."

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said: "The fact that many people face being moved so far away from the towns they have lived in all their lives shows just how cruel this closure programme is."

Hyndburn

ACORN LODGE, Accrington: 11 residents remaining, planning application for housing on site submitted to Hyndburn Council.

HILL TOP, Baxenden: Still has 16 residents remaining, and is due to be used for another social services purpose.

NORTHLANDS, Great Harwood: 7 residents remaining, due to close this month and permission now being sought for housing.

PEEL COURT, Oswaldtwistle, closed earlier this month and residents moved. Permission being sought for housing.

WOODLANDS, Clayton-le-Moors: 21 residents remaining, will be refurbished and left as Hyndburn's care home.

Burnley

EBOR HOUSE, Burnley: Still has 23 residents remaining. It will be closed and used for another purpose.

LANEHEAD HOUSE, Burnley: There are still 20 residents left. It will be closed as a care home and sold off.

LOWER RIDGE, Burnley: 30 residents left, refurbishment work is almost complete and it will remain open.

HAMELDON HOUSE, Burnley: Already closed and the residents have moved out. Up for sale, possibly for housing.

FIR GROVE, Burnley: Another which has already closed and residents moved. Up for sale, possibly for housing.

WOODSIDE, Burnley: Closed and awaiting refurbishment, work will start at the end of this year and it will remain open.

Rossendale

BROOKVILLE, Whitworth: 11 residents remaining, building to be kept for other uses. It will close in early 2004.

OLIVE HOUSE, Bacup: 23 residents remaining. It is to remain open and will be extended in time for spring 2005.

RAVENGARTH, Haslingden:18 residents left. Building to be kept for other uses but is likely to shut within the next three months.

WHINBERRY VIEW, Cloughfold: 25 residents. To remain open until refurbishments at Olive House have been completed.

Pendle

CRAVENSIDE, Barnoldswick: There are 34 residents are still in place and its future is secure for the next four year.

FAVORDALE, Colne: 22 residents, remaining open and being repaired, that will not be completed until 2005.

PENDLEBROOK, Barrowford:16 residents, will close when there is room fore residents at Favordale or Cravenside.

WALVERDENE, Nelson:15 residents, will close when there is room fore residents at Favordale or Cravenside.

WHEATLEY COURT, Fence: Nine residents, likely to close because of low occupancy before the end of 2003.

Ribble Valley

CASTLEFORD, Clitheroe: Currently has 17 residents who will remain while the home is repaired and improved.

FELL VIEW, Longridge: Has16 residents and will close and possible use for housing is being considered.